We liaise at regional/national level on information strategies, service registration and punctuality improvement partnerships with bus operators

We have an overview of passenger transport policies

Changes to non-commercial, supported services

Where a bus company is unable or unwilling to run a service on a commercial basis, the Council has the power to secure the provision of services by allocating financial support. These 'socially necessary' services are operated by bus companies under contract to TSS on behalf of the Council. The Council, not the bus company, determines the type of vehicle to be operated, the route, stopping places, timetable and fares.

Changes to commercial services

Under the Transport Act 1985 (Deregulation), bus companies are free to operate services which they consider to be commercially viable. The company decides which type of vehicle to provide, which route to follow and which stops to serve, how frequently the service will run and how much to charge in fares.

They do not need to seek authority to start, alter or withdraw part or all of such services, nor is there any authority to oblige them to run services or sections of service, which they believe to be unprofitable. They are, however, required to give notice of their intentions both to the Traffic Commissioner (part of the Government Department for Transport) and to the relevant Council(s).

Transport Service Solutions is a company owned and controlled by Cheshire East Borough Council.